Some say that if Larry Ellison was the brain behind Oracle, Bob Miner was its heart. Bob was a co-founder and a well-liked manager for much of the company's early years.

Robert grew up in an Assyrian family in Cicero, Illinois and later graduated in mathematics in 1963 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Robert died on Friday, 11 November 1994, of Mesothelioma (a form of cancer) at the age of 52. He was survived by his wife, Mary, and their three children, Nicola, Justine and Luke.

Robert purchased Oakville Ranch Vineyards in 1989. Upon his death from Mesothelioma the ranch was managed by his nephew Dave Miner. Later Dave Miner went on to found his own wine label under the name Miner Family Vineyards.